Shark attack victim celebrates Golden State Warriors win

A man who was hospitalized in October after a shark attack in Hawaii was cheering on the Golden State Warriors in their win against the San Antonio Spurs. (KGO-TV)

KGO

By Melanie Woodrow

Sunday, April 10, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) --

Sunday night the Warriors tied the Chicago Bulls record of 72 wins in a season. It's a moment one of the team's biggest fans says he wasn't sure he would see. In October, a shark attacked a Bay Area man while he was in Hawaii. Tony Lee ultimately fought off the shark by ripping out its eye.

Lee said he draws a lot of inspiration from the Warriors. He says it takes a lot of heart for the Warriors to win -- you could say the same about him.

"It's amazing, it's absolutely amazing to be able to stand up," said Lee.

"I was out in Hawaii swimming and a 12 foot shark came up behind me and took one of my legs," said Lee.

Doctors reconstructed his other leg with muscles from his back.

"It was a real tough period for me," said Lee.

One Lee says the Warriors made better. A season ticket rep let the team know one of their biggest fans needed a little inspiration.

"Steph Curry signed a jersey for me, the team signed a card. Just to know that they were out there and know that they cared it really meant a lot," said Lee.

It was enough to keep Lee fighting.

"I'm not going to let that shark win," said Lee.

He vowed to be walking by Christmas. A goal he met with a reminder he has the support of his team just beneath him.

On Sunday, he was doing what many sports fans wouldn't think twice about, walking around a bar, high-fiving everyone after a big win.

"This guy has fought so hard. He's come from not being able to walk, to coming back to seeing games. He's about to be a back-to-back champion and he didn't even know if he was going to live six months ago," said David Banyard, friend.

"Just got to keep trying hard and pushing every day and being better than I was the day before," said Lee.